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Monthly Archives: December 2015

A significant Reno snowfall has resulted in at least 14 automobile accidents that resulted in injury and property damage. The majority of accidents happened at the interchange of the 395 and 80 highways, commonly known to locals as the Spaghetti Bowl, due to the long curved nature of the highways’ four off ramps. Interstate 80 heading both West and East were the location of many of the accidents. One of the larger Reno automobile accidents happened at approximately 7:40 a.m. on lanes headed West near the exit to Reno’s Wells Ave. Another Washoe County car crash was reported minutes later, at 8:00 a.m.That accident happened near Sparks’ Nugget Casino.

Additional Sparks vehicle collisions happened on surface streets. Police were investigating accidents at late as 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28th. Those accidents that were being investigated until late hours included one at Greg St. and Marietta Wy and Los Altos Pkwy and Vista Blvd. No injuries had been reported in the early morning accidents in Reno and Sparks even though many highly trafficked roads like Spaks Blvd and Vista Blvd, all in the immediate vicinity of Prater Way were reported to have road conditions resembling a skating rink. Polce had not included in their tally minor fender benders or when motorists had slid off the road onto embankments. Forecasters have announced that snow is expected to clear by tomorrow.

While snow is not forecast to hit again until Tuesday or Wednesday next week, drivers are urged to take precautions to ensure they stay safe in the snow. If you have a car with rear wheel drive or is prone to slipping, it is always wise to have something heavy in the cars back area like a bag of sand or concrete. If that is not possible, a full tank of gas will also add weight to the vehicle.Chains are important to have on hand in case roads become too slippery to travel on with regular tires. Another good tool to have in the car is sheets of cardboard, with the cardboard, a stranded motorist can slip it under tires to gain additional traction when at a complete stop and wheels are spinning. Another precaution to take is to have a blanket, gloves, hats and an extra coat in the car in case you need to spend a prolonged time in your vehicle waiting for help.

Northern Nevada has been in a significant drought for the past few years. Over that time, Northern Nevada drivers were not experiencing the winter weather driving that they had practiced for years. Now that the weather has been back to traditional patterns there have been weekly snow falls and local drivers are having more Reno automobile accidents. Nevadans are having to adjust schedules for travels to work and even when picking up friends and family at the airport. Road crews in Northern Nevada are working extra hours to ensure that roads are safe and clear. The crews are also laying down gravel to improve traction and ice to increase melting of snow and ice that is on roads. The fortunate for Northern Nevada drivers is that snow accumulation tends to melt quickly and not spend more than a couple days on the roads.

Many roads in and out of Reno can be extremely treacherous when the weather is bad. Often when snow hits the Sierra Mountains the Nevada and California Highway authorities often require motorists to use chains or snow tires to increase traction and reduce the number of Washoe County car crashes. Other highways that can be dangerous when there is snowfall are the Mount Rose Hwy and the former 395 highway between Reno and Carson City. When snowfall hits the region, the people who run plows, sand and salt trucks can run for 12 even 18 hours. At times in the most elevated areas of the Sierras can see 12” to 18” in the snow over a 12 to 24 hour period.

Reno attempts to provide safe access to its roads in a manner that is safe for the environment. Reno has over 2,200 miles of roads which must be plowed. There are 19 routes that trucks follow for ice and snow removal. When the city of Reno puts gravel on the road it is typically mixed with salt. For applying salt to the road, the city uses a salt and water mixture that some refer to as brine. Since bridges tend to ice over the city of Reno tends to focus on providing adequate salt and snow removal on them.

If there has been a Northern Nevada vehicle collision that damaged your automobile or other property or hurt you or killed a member of your family, the Nevada licensed personal injury attorneys at Benson and Bingham can help you recover money for automobile repairs, hospital bills, lost work and more.

As the pedestrian death toll rises across Nevada, politicians citizens, pedestrians and NDOT employees are looking for ways to increase pedestrian safety across the state. Northern Nevadans are asking the state and local politicians and transit officials to improve the pedestrian infrastructure around a very busy intersection. To reduce the number of Reno automobile accidents involving pedestrians, people are requesting that the intersection of Talus Wy and North Virginia St. UNR Reno is in the immediate vicinity of this busy pedestrian intersection. The Department of Transportation has plans to improve the intersection in 2016 in their effort to reduce Washoe County car crashes that involve people who walk across the street.

NDOT, the Silver State’s transportation agency, plans to change the location of the intersection’s crosswalks. The crosswalks will now be closer to the bus stop that is also in the area. The transportation agency is also installing additional signals to alert drivers when someone is crossing North Virginia Ave. The agency will also improve streetlights in the area, which will enable those behind the wheel to see people walking on the street whether they are wearing bright or dark clothing. Finally, the agency is installing a median in the center of the road, thus enabling pedestrians crossing the street to take a break and not have to cross all four lanes of N. Virginia. The state agency has a budget of $10 million to improve roads and crosswalks in both Clark and Washoe Counties. These funds are from the state budget. The improvements to the intersection will be completed next fall and will start in summer 2016. The transportation department has a number of projects that are being worked on to reduce Northern Nevada vehicle collisions. On Interstate 580. the agency will pay a Reno construction company $12.1 million to improve the highway’s infrastructure including replacing old concrete, resurfacing the highway and improve the ability for the highway’s bridges to withstand an earthquake. The agency is also funding an extension of the freeway in Carson City. In Incline Village, the state agency is improving pedestrian access. Crosswalks on State Route 28 are getting new signs to alert motorists of people crossing the street. New streetlights are being installed and ramps are being added to sidewalks. The project is also adding dedicated lanes to turn left on State Route 28 and is also adding left turn signals to the stoplights to make turns easier for those driving.